In that ticket story, I had a nice, helpful chat with Jacqueline Peterson, the head of public relations for Ticketmaster. One of the problems the company has suffered from over there years, she said, was a lack of transparency.

Transparency is good.

Saturday morning, I went through Ticketmaster to buy a ticket for a show next month in Seattle. By the time the whole thing was done, my $34 ticket cost $59 -- including $2.50 for the privilege of using my own printer. That's always been my favorite.

I'm not sure there is enough transparency in the world to make me feel good about that happening, but it's one heck of a magic trick.